Late Models face off in longest race of the season

After competing in two 50-lap main events last Friday night, the Late Models will get little rest as they headline Coca-Cola Fan Appreciation Night at Southside Speedway this Friday night, presented by K-95.

The Late Models will compete in one of the biggest races of the season, The Virginia 125 Late Model Showdown.

Headlining the racing action will be last week’s winners, Chris Dodson and Eddie Johnson. Dodson extended his points lead last week over Shayne Lockhart by 340 points and picked up his third win of the season and ninth top-five of the season. Eddie Johnson, who sits fourth in the points, put the Petty-blue No. 43 in victory lane for the second time this year after holding off Lockhart at the line.

Other names to be on the watch for this Friday in the 125-lap event includes Lockhart, who is looking for his fifth trophy of the season, and Brandon Hendrick, who sits third in the points and is still looking for his first win this year. Chris Hopkins is fourth in points and is looking to rebound after finishing 13th and 15th in the last two races.

The Grand Stock division will also compete in a 30-lap event. Tommy Tatum continued his pursuit for the division championship by winning one of the two 30-lap segment races last Friday. The win was his fifth of the season and helped extend his points lead by 460 over second place Shawn Hopkins. Hopkins and Donnie Newman, who sits third in points, are both still looking for their first win of the season.

Brian Myslivy is fourth in points, 20 points ahead of Daniel Shelton.

Jason Higgenbotham will try to carry his momentum into CHAMP Kart 20-lap event after holding off JD Eversole and Buzz Moore at the line to win his second race of the season last Friday.

Moore currently leads the points race over second place Brad Davis with Eversole, Randy Emory and Stan Holmes rounding out the top five.

Jamie Hite is the hottest driver in the UCAR Series heading into Friday night’s 25-lap main event. In the last three races, Hite has two wins and a second-place finish.

David Kerns leads points division over Mike Chapman by 80 points with five races to go. Austin Dodge sits third with Rusty Bennett and Daniel Thomas tied for fourth.

Gates open at 6 p.m. this Friday night with racing kicking off at 7:30. Ticket prices are Adults $12, Seniors (60+) and Military $10, ages 6-11 $5, and ages 5 and under are FREE.

For all information, including a complete 2010 schedule, point standings, results and more, go to www.southsidespeedway.com.